A charity relay event in west Suffolk has so far raised at least £45,000 towards research into cancer.

The fifth Bury St Edmunds Relay for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK took place at Ickworth Park last weekend.

About 300 cancer survivors, their relatives and friends, embarked on the 21-hour relay to raise funds to help beat the disease.

As dusk fell, candles were lit round the track in memory of loved ones in a poignant Candle of Hope ceremony led by St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s Canon Matthew Vernon.

While last year’s event raised about £70,000, relay chairman Lorraine Cockerton said as there were fewer teams this year she was very pleased at least £45,000 had been raised.

She said: “If we reached £40,000 I was going to be happy I thought with 22 teams, and on Sunday morning we reached £45,000 which was just amazing.” She added: “There was something about this relay; the sun shone all day – it helped. And we had lots of people.”

Money is still coming in. To donate to a team visit www.ourrelay.co.uk

To join the Bury Relay for Life committee email Mrs Cockerton at lcockerton@gmail.com